Wheat groats and meal market in Lithuania

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2020, the physical volume of Lithuania's wheat groats and meal market expanded steadily, reaching 3.2 million t. This growth was supported by the ongoing modernization of the country's agricultural sector, which enhanced its competitiveness as a wheat producer and exporter. Investments in grain drying and storage facilities for winter wheat increased processing capacity. During this period, rising global wheat stocks helped keep purchase prices stable, which is why the market's value in monetary terms showed only modest growth despite the significant increase in volume.

The market volume contracted in 2021 and 2022, falling to 2.0 million t. The decline coincided with the first successful harvest of high-quality durum wheat in Lithuania, facilitated by warmer climatic conditions, which began influencing the product mix. Subsequently, the war in Ukraine severely disrupted global wheat supply chains, leading to a surge in grain and flour prices within Lithuania. Soaring food inflation and increased export activity by major milling companies like Malsena further reduced domestic availability, explaining the drop in physical market volume alongside a sharp rise in its monetary value to 1.3 million $ US by 2022.

After a period of stabilization in 2023, the market rebounded sharply in 2024. The physical volume surged to 3.3 million t, while the market's value grew to 1.5 million $ US, indicating a strong recovery in both supply and demand following the earlier disruptions.

Production wheat groats and meal in Lithuania

In value, 2018-2021, K $ US

Lithuania's wheat groats and meal production declined for the second year in a row. In 2021, output was valued at 675.6 thousand US dollars, marking a 6.4% decrease from 2020. Looking at the period from 2018 to 2021, production grew by 2.2%, with an average annual growth rate of 0.7%. The highest value was recorded in 2019 at 733.4 thousand US dollars, which also saw the largest increase of 11.0%.

Annual dynamics of production in Lithuania in value, 2018-2021, K $ US

In kind, 2018-2021, t

Wheat groats and meal production in Lithuania fell for the second consecutive year. In 2021, Lithuania produced 1,523 tonnes, down 10.3% from the previous year. From 2018 to 2021, production decreased by 4.6%, with an average annual decline of 1.6%. The peak was in 2019 at 1,737 tonnes, which also experienced the biggest increase of 8.8%.

Annual dynamics of production in Lithuania in kind, 2018-2021, t

Exports wheat groats and meal from Lithuania

Exports in kind, t

Wheat groats and meal exports from Lithuania rose for the third year running. In 2021, exports reached 1,279 tonnes, showing a slight increase of 1.6% compared to 2020. Between 2018 and 2021, exports grew by 34.2%, translating to an average annual rate of 10.3%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Lithuania in kind, 2018-2021, t

From 2018 to 2021, the main destinations for Lithuania's wheat groats and meal exports were Latvia, accounting for 51.4% of exports in volume, Estonia with 17.6%, and Germany at 15.3%. Together, these three countries made up 84.2% of total export flows.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's exports from Lithuania in kind, 2018-2021

Exports in value, K $ US

Wheat groats and meal exports from Lithuania increased for the third consecutive year. In 2021, export value stood at 667 thousand US dollars, reflecting a strong rise of 12.7% over the previous year. Over the 2018-2021 period, exports grew by 46%, with an average annual growth rate of 13.4%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Lithuania in value, 2018-2021, K $ US

Between 2018 and 2021, Latvia, Germany, and Estonia consistently led as the top destinations for Lithuania's wheat groats and meal exports in value terms. Latvia accounted for 43.1% of exports, Germany for 21.4%, and Estonia for 15.9%, together representing 80.4% of total export flows.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's exports from Lithuania in value, 2018-2021

Imports wheat groats and meal to Lithuania

Imports in kind, t

After two years of growth, wheat groats and meal imports into Lithuania declined. In 2021, imports totaled 2,103 tonnes, a 23.7% drop from 2020. From 2018 to 2021, imports increased by 14.6%, with an average annual growth rate of 4.6%. The highest volume was in 2020 at 2,757 tonnes, which also saw the largest increase of 31.7%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Lithuania in kind, 2018-2021, t

From 2018 to 2021, Poland and Latvia dominated Lithuania's wheat groats and meal imports in volume. Poland contributed 57.5% of total flows, while Latvia accounted for 38.0%, together making up 95.5% of imports, with other partners covering the remainder.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's imports to Lithuania in kind, 2018-2021

Imports in value, K $ US

Wheat groats and meal imports into Lithuania grew for the third year in a row. In 2021, imports were valued at 1,006 thousand US dollars, equivalent to a robust gain of 17.6% compared to the previous year. Over the 2018-2021 period, imports increased by 38.1%, with an average annual growth rate of 11.4%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Lithuania in value, 2018-2021, K $ US

Between 2018 and 2021, Poland and Latvia remained the primary suppliers of wheat groats and meal to Lithuania in value terms, jointly accounting for 91.2% of total imports. The rest was spread across other countries in a fragmented manner.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's imports to Lithuania in value, 2018-2021